How Telegram became 'center of gravity' for domestic terrorists
UC political science professor tracks felony cases of political violence
The nonprofit investigative journalism site ProPublica and WGBH-TV's FRONTLINE turned to a University of Cincinnati political science professor to explain how bad actors are using the news and messaging app Telegram to foment violence.
French prosecutors charged Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov last week with enabling criminality in the app. The charges include complicity in offenses related to child sexual abuse and drug trafficking.
But according to the investigation by ProPublica and FRONTLINE, Telegram is being used to plan terrorist acts.
“Telegram plays a key role in the perpetuation of militant accelerationism,” said Michael Loadenthal, an assistant professor of political science in UC's College of Arts and Sciences.
Loadenthal teaches in UC's School of Public and International Affairs and directs the Prosecution Project, which tracks felony cases involving political violence in the United States.
According to Loadenthal, Telegram has shown that deplatforming violent and hateful content is not its priority.
ProPublica and FRONTLINE examined Telegram’s role in a string of recent alleged far-right acts of sabotage and murder and how the company’s inaction allowed extremists to plan and discuss their crimes.
Examples include neo-Nazi Michail Chkhikvishvili, who used Telegram to solicit people willing to carry out murders and bombings in the United States. Prosecutors say he solicited an undercover FBI agent to pose as Santa Claus to distribute poisoned candy to children in New York.
Also this year a Florida man, Alexander Lightner, was charged with threatening to carry out a mass shooting, promising on Telegram “the highscore shall be defeated.”
Loadenthal also spoke to the New Yorker about ways that online vigilantes are helping law enforcement identify and track down violent extremists using digital sleuthing.
According to the New Yorker, the work of these online detectives led the U.S. military to discharge dozens of white supremacists serving in active duty and spurred federal criminal prosecutions.
Loadenthal told the New Yorker that charging documents in one out of every five cases relating to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol acknowledged information from civilian “sedition hunters.”
Featured image at top: French authorities charged the founder of the messaging app Telegram with enabling criminals on the web app. Photo/Stockcam/iStockPhoto
Related Stories
Pocket-sized population threat
May 18, 2026
The Financial Times took a deep dive into why populations around the world continue to be on the decline. The publication cited new University of Cincinnati research as part of the investigation that looks at the fall of fertility in the digital era.
Colorado silica dust trial could change the way industry does business
May 17, 2026
Betsy Malloy, Andrew Katsanis Professor of Law, at the University of Cincinnati, spoke with Bloomberg Law about how a Colorado trial could change the way the stone fabrication industry does business.
Will a gas tax help lower prices at the pump?
May 14, 2026
WCPO recently reported on Kentucky and Indiana’s steps to combat surging gas prices, cutting and suspending state gas taxes, respectively. UC economist Michael Jones explained the impact on Cincinnati.